The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1887-10-27

Al
GENUINE SOUTHERN WELCOME
Extended to President Cleveland at At
lanta.
ATLANTA, Oct. 1S.-President Cle7e,
land and his party arrived here at Ills
o'clock last night. and Notwithstanding
the pitiless rain, which had fallen inces-
sanity since noon, with constantly in
creasing violence, they we're greeted by
the largest concourse of people ever
gathered in Southern city. Fully one
hundred thousand people were in Atlanta
last night, and thousands of rain soaked
enthusiasts surrounded the Union depot.
The streets, though perfect seas, were so
crowded as to be almost impossible.
The bunting, flags, etc, with which
almost all the buildings in the city are
literally decorated, presented anything
but gala appearance, but the welcome
of the people obviated all necessity of
bunting or flags to evidence the hearth
ness of their welcome to the Chief AIagis-
trate of the nation. All day long it had
rained, but undeterred by the elements
the visiting citizen soldiery promenaded
the streets, and strains of martial music
was heard on all sides. When the spe.
cial train, having on board the citizens
reception committee, pulled out of the
station at o'clock to meet the Presiden-
tial train at Marietta, enthusiasm was at
fever heat, but when the booming of
cannon on Kennesaw announced the
approach of Grover Cleveland, it knew
no bounds, and from the umbrella cano.
pied thousands who had been impatiently
awaiting his arrival came shout Of vel.
come that re.echoed and re.echoed until
the.whole city rang with the loud huzzas.
The Atlanta Rifles, Gate City Guards and
Governors Horse Guard, assisted by one
hundred special police, kept clear the
street leading from the station to the
Kimball House, where an elegant suite
of rooms had been furnished for the re-.
ception of the party. Five Governors
with their stats added eclat to the recep.
ton of the nations chief-Richardson Of
sonth Carolina, Taylor of Tennessee,
Perry of Florida, Loundsbury of Connec-
ticut, and our gallant Gordon.
Fully $4,000 people were congregated
about the depot and along the line of the
railroad track from Whitehall to Pryor
streets, where they had been standing
since dark, and all of them we're as wet
as drowned rats. As the train moved
into the depot salute was fred from
Broad street bridge by the Atlanta artil.
lery. The President and party were
placed in carriages snd driven to the
Kimball, with an escort of 100 men, who
carried torches.
The morning is cloudy, showing pos.
sibility of rain. The trains are still
bringing in thousands of strangers, yet it
is estimated that six or seven thousand
Of those here last night failed to find
beds. The corridors and stairs of the
Kimball House, where the President is
quartered, had the appearance of a has
tily made bivouac. Sleeping forms were
lying in all directions upon the floor and
stairs. Atlanta is prohibition town,
|sand despite the crowd and enthusiasm,
there is very little drunkenness.
The Presidents party did not retire
until 2 o'clock this morning, it having
been found impossible to get their bag.
gage through the crowds and to their
rooms earlier. As consequence they
breakfasted late this morning. At IL
o'clock President Collins and Vice.Presi-
dent Grady, of the exposition, called at
the Presidents rooms and escorted the
President and Mrs. Cleveland and Post
master General Villas to the capitol,
where they entered the Governors room
and were received by Governor Gordon.
The visiting Governors, the Supreme
Court of the State, members of the Gov.
ernor's staff, United States officials,
municipal authorities and members of
the, Legislature were presented to the
city's guests.
This ceremonial over, the distinguished
visitors, escorted by Governor Gordon
and Senators Brown and Colquitt, and
accompanied by visiting Governors and
many other people of distinction, pro-
ceeded to Piedmont Park, which is the
exposition grounds. A national salute
was fired as the procession entered The
gates of the enclosure, and proceeded to
the speakers stand. The formalities of
welcome to the President began with
prayer by Rev. DR.. Bartlett of the Pres
byterian Church, after which Mr.. Il. w.
Grady, Vice.P President of the exposition,
in brief but eloquent speech, extended
q welcome to the President.
Mr.. Grady said he had the honor of
introducing the foremost ruler of this
earth, the President of the American
republic, ore to whom, by the peaceful,
unquestioned sufrages of this people,
their highest commission had been given.
The proud pleasure of welcoming him
vas emphasized by the knowledge that
he had held his high commission with
dignifed sincerity and that he had
houored his high Office with strong and
spotless administration. He could
promise the privilege that even Presi-
dent might esteem-that of looking into
the faces and hearing the cordial welcome
|